High Cholesterol in Children & Cholesterol Free Diets

You may think that cholesterol is a problem only for adults. But with the prevalence of junk food and sedentary activities like video games, many children are facing adult health problems typically associated with being overweight or obesity. Cholesterol is a type of fat. There are two main types: HDL cholesterol is good for your body; it helps your circulatory system. LDL cholesterol can harden your arteries and block blood flow, leading to health risks. Weight loss, as well as a healthy diet and exercise, are vital for reducing a child's cholesterol.

Cholesterol in Children

• According to Kids Health (see Reference 1), children younger than 18 should have less than 110 mg/dL of LDL cholesterol. They should also have less than 170 mg/dL of total cholesterol. A borderline level of LDL cholesterol in children is between 110 to 129 mg/dL, and a high level is 130 mg/dL or higher. If your family has a history of high cholesterol, if your child is overweight or obese, physically inactive and does not eat a healthy diet, have her tested for high cholesterol.

  According to the American Heart Association (see Reference 2), atherosclerosis (the hardening of arteries) can begin in a young child. Keeping your son or daughter healthy through childhood is essential for him or her to lead a healthy life into adulthood.

Cholesterol-Free Diets

• The guidelines of the American Heart Association (see Reference 3) state that children ages 4 to 18 should consume between 25 percent and 35 percent of daily calories from healthy fat sources, such as fish and nuts. Encourage your child to eat baked foods, rather than fried. Supply him with low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Eggs and red meat have a high amount of cholesterol, so clean these out of your fridge. A healthy, cholesterol-free meat alternative is soy. Try marinating squares of tofu and sautéeing them. Serve your child meals with plenty of vegetables and whole grains. Instead of ice cream or pastries for dessert, offer fresh fruit like kiwi or pineapple.

Regular Exercise

• Being physically active, along with eating a healthy diet, is an important component in lowering LDL cholesterol and achieving a healthy weight. Exercise can even raise your HDL cholesterol. Kids Health (see Reference 1) recommends children age 2 years and up should be physically active for at least an hour each day. You don't need to purchase an expensive gym membership for your child to get him to exercise. But getting involved in activities as a family can help encourage your child. Go for a family bike ride, take a walk on a nature trail or enroll in tennis or swimming lessons.

  Whichever activities your child chooses, keeping her interested in them is key to maintaining a consistent fitness plan.